Advertised from 24 March 2026

Role

Victim Support Scotland (VSS) is the leading independent charity supporting people affected by crime across Scotland. Every year, thousands of victims, witnesses and families rely on us for emotional, practical and financial support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

But we are more than a service provider. We are a national voice. A critical friend to government. An advocate for victims’ rights. A catalyst for justice reform.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead our organisation into its next chapter.

The Opportunity

This is one of the most significant CEO roles in Scotland’s third sector.

Reporting to the Chair and Board, the Chief Executive will provide visible, values-led leadership to an organisation of national scale and influence. You will lead more than 100 staff and hundreds of volunteers, steward significant public funding, and represent VSS at the highest levels of government, justice agencies, regulators and the media.

You will ensure that Victim Support Scotland remains:

• A trusted, influential voice within Scotland’s justice landscape.
• A high-performing, trauma-informed organisation.
• Financially sustainable and operationally robust.
• Governed to the highest standards of charity law and regulatory compliance.

Above all, you will ensure that victims and witnesses remain at the heart of everything we do.

About You

We are looking for a proven, strategic leader with experience operating at Chief Executive (or equivalent senior) level within a complex, publicly accountable environment.

You will bring:

• Experience leading organisations with public profile and reputational sensitivity.
• The credibility and presence to operate confidently at national level.
• Demonstrable experience working closely with Boards and Trustees.
• Strong knowledge of governance, risk and regulatory frameworks.
• A track record of influencing senior stakeholders and policy-makers.
• Experience overseeing the development, delivery and evaluation of services to ensure consistent, measurable impact at local and national scale.

You will combine strategic judgement with emotional intelligence. You will be politically astute, externally influential and values-driven and you will lead with compassion in a sector that demands resilience, clarity and integrity.

Why This Role Matters

Crime affects lives in profound and lasting ways. The next Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland will help shape how Scotland responds - not only through high-quality support services, but by influencing how justice is delivered, how policy evolves, and how victims’ rights are upheld. This is leadership with purpose, responsibility and national significance.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to lead an organisation that makes a tangible difference every day - and to shape the future of victim support in Scotland - we would be delighted to hear from you.

Application notes

To apply for the post, please send a tailored CV and covering letter to ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com by midnight on Sunday April 12, 2026. Please note that the covering letter should be no more than two pages of A4 and should summarise your relevant skills and experience and motivations for applying for this role.

If you would like a confidential, informal discussion about the role then please contact Fizza Islam, LHH on +44 (0)141 220 6460 or email the above address.

Download the Candidate Information Here or below.

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